Agriculture, allied sectors’ budget enhanced

LAHORE:Overall agriculture budget outlay for financial year 2022 has been set at Rs129.8 billion up from Rs117.2 billion in FY 2024-25, showing an impressive increase of 10.7 percent.

The provincial government has prioritised inclusive, evidence-based planning and targeted investments in agriculture other sectors to sustain growth, aligned with national and global priorities, as per budget documents. By doing so, Pakistan and Punjab are navigating together a cautious but deliberate path toward economic recovery and transformation.

Enhancing focus on Agriculture & Livestock sectors, Punjab introduced several initiatives like CM Green Tractor Programme under which 9,366 farmers have been provided with subsidised green tractors.

For promotion of Mechanised Agriculture for Increasing Crop Productivity with Rs4,258.774 million allocation, 1,050 farmers have been provided with different types of agricultural implements including Disc Plow, Chisel Plow, Rotavator, Wheat Reaper, Disc Harrow, Maize Bed Planter etc. at subsidy of Rs0.500 million per unit during 2024-25.

Other details of provincial govt’s projects include CM Hi Power Tractor Programme (2025-26) (allocation Rs10 billion), CM Green Tractor Programme (Phase-II) (2025-26) (allocation: Rs5.5 billion), CM Hi-Tech Farm Mechanisation Financing Programme (2025-26 to 2028-29) (Rs9 billion, allocation Rs1.5 billion), CM Programme for Water Efficient Agriculture (2025-26 to 2027-28) (Rs8 billion, allocation Rs2 billion), Agricultural Farm Mechanisation Project (2025-26 to 2027-28) (Rs7 billion, allocation Rs0.7 billion).

As many as Rs800 million has been allocated for CM Herd Transformation to enhance livestock productivity, Rs20 million for establishment of CM FMD Free Zone at Bahawalnagar, one billion rupees for CM Livestock Card.

Last but not the least, Punjab has made a candid acknowledgement of the fact that withdrawal from wheat procurement last year was its deliberate move. “In agriculture, govt has withdrawn from direct intervention in the commodity market,” according to budget documents. Instead, it has opted for targeted direct support to farmers through interest-free loans on inputs under the Kissan Card Programme as well as access to technology and high-yield seed varieties.